Fansided

Vegas Golden Knights Battle Los Angeles Kings in First Game at T-Mobile Arena

By Richard Cardinale |
SAN JOSE, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Shea Theodore #27, Nate Schmidt #88, Stefan Matteau #25, and David Perron #57 of the Vegas Golden Knights huddle during the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on September 21, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Shea Theodore #27, Nate Schmidt #88, Stefan Matteau #25, and David Perron #57 of the Vegas Golden Knights huddle during the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on September 21, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images)

The Vegas Golden Knights are in the building, and they’re ready to play some hockey.

I feel like I start off every post like this, but the moment is truly finally here Vegas Golden Knights fans. A major professional sports team from the state of Nevada will play in their first home in history. For a significant milestone such as this one, it’s been a long time coming

Let’s face it, minor league sports teams and colleges played for the state of Nevada, but this is a different animal. When Vegas locals and other casual fans start to get to know the game better, they will fall in love. And if you don’t believe me, then go to tonights Golden Knights preseason game versus the Los Angeles Kings.

The team has a lot of buzz around them with their recent play as of late. Vegas is currently 3-1 on this September and just wrapped up the road portion of their preseason schedule.The Golden Knights have also been starting to trim down their roster by making several cuts.

On Monday the Vegas Golden Knights announced they had assigned Tyler Wong, Jake Bischoff, Oscar Dansk, Maxime Lagace and Keegan Kolesar to the Chicago Wolves training camp. In addition, Jake Leschyshyn was released from the Golden Knights training camp and has rejoined the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League. And with more cuts means, we’re one step closer to knowing the full opening night lineup.

Vegas currently has 18 forwards, 11 defensemen and two goaltenders left in camp. It’s alarming to see that many defensemen left on the roster with three preseason games left. Furthermore, it makes you wonder, is Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee going to pull a trigger on a deal?  It seems like he just might. McPhee has hinted at the possibility of moving a defenseman before the regular season begins. And most of all, he has a track record of making deals so early.

Here’s the full lineup the Golden Knights will go with tonight against the Kings:

Forwards: William Carrier, Cody Eakin, Erik Haula, Tomas Hyka, Oscar Lindberg, Jonathan Marchessault, Tomas Nosek, David Perron, Teemu Pulkkinen, Vadim Shipachyov, Reilly Smith and Alex Tuch.

Defensemen: Deryk Engelland, Jon Merrill, Colin Miller, Luca Sbisa, Nate Schmidt and Shea Theodore.

Goaltenders: Marc-Andre Fleury and Calvin Pickard

Next: Did the Vegas Golden Knights Make the right call picking Marc-Andre Fleury in the Expansion Draft?

So many first-time moments at T-Mobile Arena are upon us. Who will score the first goal on T-Mobile Arena ice? Who will participate in the first fight? What did the Golden Knights come up with for a goal song? Fortunately, there will be answers to some of those questions tonight.

All in all, we should still remember it’s a preseason game, and the party isn’t underway just yet. But it doesn’t mean Golden Knights fans can’t be excited about what’s to come in the near future.

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